System and method for provisioning broadband service in a PPPoE network using a configuration domain name

ABSTRACT

A modem that includes a configuration domain name associated with a configuration Broadband Service Node (BNS) is firstly provided. A PPPoE session is established, and an authentication requested is transmitted, containing the identifier and a generic password, from the modem to a single configuration domain name over the PPPoE network. Authorization is then received from the configuration domain name. The authorization preferably comprises a temporary dynamic Internet Protocol (IP) address. Full configuration details, including a static IP address, are then obtained from an Internet Service Provider (ISP). The invention also provides a system and computer program product for provisioning broadband service in a Point-to-Point Protocol Over Ethernet (PPPoE) network.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/929,321, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVISIONING BROADBANDSERVICE IN A PPPOE NETWORK USING A CONFIGURATION DOMAIN NAME,” by AnantaSankar Senapati and Manish Sharma, filed Aug. 14, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No.7,047,304, which application is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

The present invention relates generally to broadband telecommunications,and particularly to a system and method for provisioning broadbandservice in a Point-to-Point over Ethernet (PPPoE) network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

While high-speed Internet connections to large businesses have been inexistence for quite some time, high speed Internet connections to homesand small businesses have only recently become more commonplace.Technologies such as ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network), Cablemodems, Satellite, and DSL (Digital Subscriber Line), are all competingfor market share. The two technologies at the forefront, DSL and Cable,offer much faster Internet access than dial-up modems, for a costsubstantially lower than ISDN.

Analog modems communicating over regular telephone lines are not fastenough for today's broadband multi-media content. In fact, so-called 56Kbps modems actually move data at approximately 44 Kbps because oftelephone-line imperfections. Furthermore, these modems only reach thatspeed when receiving data, not sending it.

Typically, analog modems generally connect to the Internet by dialing-upan Internet Service Provider (ISP) over a regular telephone line. Thisconnection is a permanent connection known as a physical circuit.Generally, a Point-to-Point (PPP) data link protocol is used toprovision the physical circuit.

DSL, on the other hand, is 250 times faster than a 33.6 Kbps analogmodem. DSL, as used herein, refers to different variations of DSL, suchas ADSL (Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line), HDSL(High bit-rateDigital Subscriber Line), and RADSL (Rate Adaptive Digital SubscriberLine).

Most DSL communications that traverse public networks, such as framerelay networks, are established over Permanent Virtual Circuits (PVCs).As the name implies, PVCs are static bidirectional connections that areestablished ahead of time between two end stations. The PVC ispermanently available to the user as if the connection is a dedicated orleased line that is continuously reserved for that user. The PVCconnection is established manually when the network is configured andconsists of the end stations, the transmission medium, and all of theswitches between the end stations. After a PVC has been established, acertain amount of bandwidth is reserved for the PVC, and the two endstations do not need to set up or clear connections. Further detailsabout PVC can be found in Request for Comments (RFC) 2955 and RFC 3070both of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

However, PVCs generally must be provisioned manually and then kept inplace regardless of traffic volume. Therefore, one of the major problemsfacing the rollout of DSL connections that use PVC connections is thecost and complexity of provisioning DSL service. Typically, provisioningDSL service requires a visit by a technician to the remote location forsetup of the telephone line and installation and configuration of theDSL modem and client computer. It has been estimated, that a typicalservice call to install and configure a DSL modem, currently costs inthe region of $300 for the DSL ISP.

More recently, the Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers (ILECs), which aretraditional local telephone companies such as one of the Regional Bellcompanies (RBOCs), for example PACIFIC BELL, have started usingPoint-to-Point over Ethernet (PPPoE) to run the PPP protocol overEthernet for DSL connections. One such ILEC is AMERITECH of Chicago,U.S.A. PPPoE supports the protocol layers and authentication widely usedin PPP and enables a point-to-point connection to be established in thenormally-multipoint architecture of Ethernet.

PPPoE allows ILECs to sublease their lines to other dial-up ISPs, whilemaking it easier for ISPs to provision services to support multipleusers across a dedicated DSL connection. Still further, PPPoE alsosimplifies the end-user experience by allowing a user to dynamicallyselect between ISPs. However, complicates the process of delivering PPPover DSL because it requires users to enter their usernames, passwords,and domains. PPPoE also requires the users to install additional PPPoEclient software on their client computers.

The PPPoE functionality, available now in version 2.1 of the REDBACKSubscriber Management System (SMS) 1000 system software, is based on aproposed IETF specification developed jointly by REDBACK NETWORKS,client software developer ROUTERWARE (Newport Beach, Calif.) andWORLDCOM subsidiary UUNET Technologies (Fairfax, Va.). Further detailson PPPoE can be found in RFC 2516 which is hereby incorporated byreference.

The typical user experience with a DSL service using PPPoE involves thefollowing steps:

-   (1) The user deploys a carrier-supplied Bridging DSL modem    pre-configured with a PVC;-   (2) The user connects the Ethernet port on a Network Interface Card    (NIC) in a client computer to the Ethernet interface on the DSL    modem;-   (3) The user installs the PPPoE driver;-   (4) Using standard WINDOWS dial-up networking capabilities, the user    sets up a new PPP connection over the Ethernet-connected DSL modem;    and-   (5) The user clicks on the particular dial-up networking connection,    provides the appropriate user name, domain, and password and clicks    connect.

The result is the establishment of a PPP session over Ethernet. This PPPsession over Ethernet is bridged by the DSL modem to an ATM PVC whichconnects in an ISP POP (Point of Presence) to a device, such as aREDBACK SMS 1000, capable of terminating an DSL PPP session. At thispoint, the user has established a connection to the ISP using a modelvirtually identical to the dial-up analog model, with a notableexception of a faster connection speed and a greater available bandwidthafforded by DSL. Importantly, the entire collection of PPP protocols isunaltered. The Ethernet is simply used as a means to carry PPP messagesbetween a client (client computer) and a remote server. The ISPperceives the connection as a standard PPP session from one of the ISPssubscribers. Also beneficial to the ISP is the fact that if additionaluser PCs initiate PPP sessions using the same DSL modem and line, noadditional PVCs are required. One PVC can support an arbitrary number ofPPP sessions, minimizing configuration complexity in the carrier centraloffice.

However, DSL service using PPPoE has a number of disadvantages. First,because the user has to log-in each time a connection is desired, oreach time the modem is turned on, a dynamic and not static Internetprotocol (IP) address is usually assigned to the client computer and/orDSL modem.

An IP address is the address of a computer attached to a TCP/IP(Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) network, where everynetwork device (client or server) in a network must have a unique IPaddress. Client computers either have a static, i.e., permanent, IPaddress or one that is dynamically assigned to them for eachcommunication session. The dynamic IP addresses is typicallyautomatically assigned to the client computer by a DHCP server. Networkdevices that serve multiple users, such as servers and printers, requirea static IP address that does not change so that data can always bedirected to that particular network device. For example, having a staticIP address allows a user to set up a Web-server on his/her clientcomputer. Therefore, it is advantageous to have a static IP address andnot a dynamic address as typically assigned in a PPPoE network.

A second disadvantage is that each time a PPP connection is made, theuser must supply a user name, domain name, and password, such as:

User name/domain: user1111@company.com Password: password1111

The need for a domain introduces additional complexity into the system,as the ISP must inform the user in advance which domain name to use.

Therefore, even with the above described advances, DSL users typicallystill have to at least partly configure their DSL modems themselves bymanually entering configuration information into the client computer. Inaddition, the DSL ISPs also typically spend a substantial amount ofresources providing telephone assistance to talk DSL users through theinstallation and configuration process. Still further, the serviceprovider often still needs to send out technicians to the user toinstall and configure the DSL system. This process is both costly andtime consuming.

A need therefore exists for an easier means for provisioning DSL serviceusing PPPoE that can be undertaken by a user with little, or no,technical skill or know-how.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Certain existing PPP over Ethernet (“PPPoE) network architectures suchas the Ameritech architecture require entry of a domain name in additionto a user name during the authentication phase(<username>@<domainname>).The present invention meets this PPPoE architecture requirement withoutrequiring the user to enter a domain name and/or username. The inventionuses software in the modem to automatically (without additional userinput), attempt to interactively authenticate the user untilauthentication is successfully completed.

According to the invention there is provided a computer implementedmethod for provisioning broadband service in a Point-to-Point Protocolover Ethernet (PPPOE) network. A modem that includes a configurationdomain name associated with a configuration Broadband Service Node (BSN)is firstly provided. A PPPoE session is established, and anauthentication request is transmitted, containing the identifier and ageneric password, from the modem to a single configuration domain nameover the PPPoE network. Authorization is then received from theconfiguration domain name. The authorization preferably comprises atemporary dynamic Internet Protocol (IP) address.

In order to receive full configuration details, the modem firstlyobtains a user identifier by requesting only a single identifier from auser of a client computer, and thereafter receiving the identifier. Theidentifier is then stored in the modem's memory. The modem thentransmits a configuration request to an Internet Service Provider (ISP),where the configuration request is addressed from the dynamic IPaddress. The full configuration details are received from the ISP. Thefull configuration details are sent from the ISP to the dynamic IPaddress of the modem. The modem then automatically configures itselfbased on the full configuration details, which preferably include atleast one static IP address.

Further according to the invention there is provided a system forprovisioning broadband service in a Point-to-Point Protocol OverEthernet (PPPoE) network. The system comprises at least one clientcomputer, and a modem coupled to the client computer. The modem includesa memory having instructions for transmitting an authentication requestfrom a modem to a single configuration domain name over a PPPoE network,and instructions for receiving authorization from the configurationdomain name. The system also includes a single configuration BroadbandService Node (BSN) coupled to the modem, and an authentication servercoupled to the single configuration BSN. The single configuration domainname is associated with the single configuration BSN.

The system also preferably comprises a Digital Subscriber Line AccessMultiplexor (DSLAM) coupled between the modem and the singleconfiguration BSN; an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) network coupledbetween the DSLAM and the single configuration BSN; and a BroadbandRemote Access Server (BRAS) coupled between the ATM network and thesingle configuration BSN.

Still further according to the invention there is provided a computerprogram product for use in conjunction with a computer system forprovisioning broadband service in a Point-to-Point Protocol OverEthernet (PPPoE) network. The computer program product comprises acomputer readable storage and a computer program stored therein. Thecomputer program comprises instructions for transmitting anauthentication request from a modem to a single configuration domainname over a PPPoE network, and instructions for receiving authorizationfrom the configuration domain name.

The present invention ensures optimal operation with existing PPPoEnetworks which require entry of domain names without placing anyadditional burden on the user to input the domain name. Theauthentication is performed by software in the modem and is transparentto the user. Reducing the amount of information that an user has toinput manually during authentication reduces the number of problems anderrors that can occur during this process, and therefore, is expected toreduce the number calls that customers will make for technical supportduring this phase of operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional objects and features of the invention will be more readilyapparent from the following detailed description and appended claimswhen taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the system architecture according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the modem shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method for establishing a PPPoE session;

FIGS. 4A and 4B flow charts of a method for provisioning DSL service ina PPPoE network according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 5A and 5B flow charts of a method for provisioning DSL service ina PPPoE network according to another embodiment of the invention; and

FIGS. 6A and 6B flow charts of a method for provisioning DSL service ina PPPoE network according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the system architecture 100 accordingto an embodiment of the invention. Traditional telephone services,otherwise known as Plain Old telephone Systems (POTS) connect homes orsmall businesses to a telephone company office over a distance of copperwires or twisted pairs. Traditional telephone services over thesetwisted pairs allow for the exchange of voice communication with othertelephone users using an analog signal. However, in order to provisionDSL service over the same twisted pairs, this distance must be less than18,000 feet (approximately 5.5 Km).

Currently, there are two popular types of DSL systems, namely regularADSL and splitterless ADSL. Asymmetric DSL (ADSL) is for Internetaccess, where fast downstream is required, but slow upstream isacceptable. Symmetric DSL (SDSL, HDSL, etc.) is designed for short haulconnections that require high speed in both directions. Unlike ISDN,which is also digital but travels through the switched telephonenetwork, DSL provides “always-on” operation. Asymmetric DSL shares thesame line as the telephone, because it uses higher frequencies than thevoice band. However, a POTS splitter must be installed on the customer'spremises to separate the line between voice and data. Splitterless ADSL,known as G.lite, Universal ADSL, ADSL Lite, is geared to the consumer byeliminating the splitter and associated installation charge. Alltelephones on the telephone line must, however, plug into low-passfilters to isolate them from the higher ADSL frequencies.

A splitter at the telephone company's central office separates voicecalls from data. Voice calls are routed by a POTS switch to the a publicswitched telephone network (PSTN) and thereafter are switched to theirdestination.

It should be appreciated that although a system and method forprovisioning broadband service in a PPPoE network is described in termsof DSL service, the system and method described will work equally aswell with any other suitable broadband communication service, such ascable modem, T1 service, or the like.

Each of one or more client computers 102(1)-102(N) are coupled to amodem 104 by any suitable means, such as by Ethernet Category 5Unshielded Twisted Pair Ethernet cable (CAT 5) through a network hub.Modem 104 is preferably a DSL modem, but alternatively may be anysuitable broadband modem. The modem 104 in turn connects to a DSL AccessMultiplexor (DSLAM) 106 usually located at a telephone company's centraloffice. The DSLAM is a device for DSL service that intermixes voicetraffic and DSL traffic onto a user's DSL line. It also separatesincoming phone and data signals and directs them onto the appropriatenetwork. The modem 104 connects to the DSLAM 106 along a regular coppertwisted pair telephone line 108.

The DSLAM 106 then connects to a telephone company's, such as an ILECS,Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) network 110. The ATM network is anetwork technology for both local and wide area networks (LANs and WANs)that supports realtime voice, video, and data. The ATM topology usesswitches that establish a logical circuit from end to end, therebyguaranteeing quality of service (QoS). However, unlike telephoneswitches that dedicate physical circuits end to end, unused bandwidth inATM's logical circuits can be appropriated when needed. Furthermore, ATMis highly scalable and supports transmission speeds up to 9953 Mbps.

The ATM network 110 in turn connects to a Broadband Remote Access Server(BRAS) 112 that is essentially a switch that connects to numerousBroadband Service Nodes (BSNs) 118(1)-(N) of an ISP 116. Each BSN may beidentifier by a unique domain name. The connection from the BRAS to theBSNs is preferably through an additional ATM network (not shown). Eachconnection from the BRAS 112 through the additional ATM network to eachof the BSNs 118 is called a tunnel.

The BSNs 118 allow ISPs to aggregate tens of thousands of subscribersonto one platform and apply customized Internet Protocol (IP) servicesto these subscribers. Still further, the BSNs enable ISPs to seamlesslymigrate from basic broadband subscriber aggregation to more profitablevalue-added services while providing scalable operations. BSNs aredeployed preferably at all Points of Presence (POPs). A suitable BSN isthe SHASTA 5000 made by NORTEL NETWORKS.

The BSNs 118 connect to the Internet 122 and to authentication servers120(1)-(N). In this way, the BSNs can route data signals from the BRAS112 to the Internet 122, at speeds up to 1 Gbps. Although not shown,each BSN and authentication server also connects to an OSS (OperationalSupport System) of the DSL ISP. It should be appreciated that theauthentication servers 120 may be separate (as shown) or may be a singleauthentication server. Also, each authentication server includes alookup table (not shown) that lists user identifiers, such as a usernamewhich is preferably comprised of the user's telephone number, againstconfiguration details, such as their DSL IP address and Local AreaNetwork (LAN) IP Subnet.

Suitable authentication servers 120 are RADIUS (Remote AuthenticationDial-In User Service) servers running RADIUS software, such as FUNKSTEEL BELTED RADIUS made by FUNK SOFTWARE, Inc.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the modem 104 shown in FIG. 1. Modem 104comprises at least one data processor or central processing unit (CPU)202, a memory 212, a communications circuit 204, communication ports206(1)-(N), a telephone jack 208, and at least one bus 210 thatinterconnects these components. The communications circuit 204 andcommunication ports 206(1)-(N) may include one or more Network InterfaceCards (NICs) configured to use Ethernet.

Memory 212 preferably includes an operating system 214 (such asVXWORKS™, or EMBEDDED LINUX™), having instructions for communicating,processing, accessing, storing, or searching data, etc. Memory 212 alsopreferably includes broadband communication procedures 216; telephonecommunication procedures 218; configuration procedures 220;authentication procedures 222; a NAT/Firewall service 224; a HTTP (Web)Client and Server 226; HTTP (Web) Pages 228; HTTP (Web) StoredProcedures 230; a list of BSN 118 (FIG. 1) domain names 232; a genericpassword 234; a cache 236, including a user identifier 238; and a listof set usernames.

Broadband communication procedures 216 are used for communicating withboth the client computers 102 (FIG. 1), DSLAM 106 (FIG. 1), BRAS 112(FIG. 1), BSNs 118 (FIG. 1) and the Internet 122 (FIG. 1). Allcommunication described below in relation to FIGS. 3, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B,6A, and 6B use the broadband communication procedures 216. Telephonecommunication procedures 218 are used for telephone communicationsthrough the phone jack 208. Authentication procedures 222 are used toauthenticate a user for DSL service over a PPPoE network as described inrelation to FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B below. The Network AddressTranslation (NAT)/Firewall service 224 is used to convert local IPaddress of each client computer 102 (FIG. 1) into a global IP addressand also serve as a firewall by keeping individual IP addresses hiddenfrom the outside world. The HTTP (Web) Client and Server 226 is used toserve and receive the HTTP (Web) Pages 228. The HTTP (Web) StoredProcedures 230 are used to interact with the user. The list of BSN 118(FIG. 1) domain names 232, user identifier 238, generic password 234,and list of set usernames 240 are used in the authentication of the DSLservice as described below. Finally, the cache 236 is used totemporarily store data.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method 300 for establishing a PPPoE session.PPPoE has two distinct stages, namely a Discovery stage and a PPPSession stage. When a modem 104 (FIG. 1) wishes to initiate a PPPoEsession, it must first perform Discovery to identify the Ethernet MACaddress of the BRAS 112 (FIG. 1) and establish a PPPoE SESSION_ID. WhilePPP defines a peer-to-peer relationship, Discovery is inherently aclient-server relationship.

In the Discovery process, the modem 104 (FIG. 1) discovers an BRAS 112(FIG. 1). When Discovery completes successfully, both the modem 104(FIG. 1) and the BRAS 112 (FIG. 1) have the information they will use tobuild their point-to-point connection over Ethernet.

Each Ethernet frame communicated over PPPoE contains the following:

DESTINATION_ADDR (6 octets) SOURCE_ADDR (6 octets) ETHER_TYPE (2 octets)payload CHECKSUMThe DESTINATION_ADDR field contains either a unicast Ethernetdestination address, or the Ethernet broadcast address (0×ffffffff). ForDiscovery packets, the value is either a unicast or broadcast address asdefined in the Discovery section. For PPP session traffic, this fieldcontains the unicast address of the destination device, i.e, the devicewhere the packet is being sent, as determined from the Discovery stage.

The SOURCE_ADDR field contains the Ethernet MAC address of the sourcedevice, i.e., the device sending the packet. The ETHER_TYPE is set toeither 0×8863 (Discovery Stage) or 0×8864 (PPP Session Stage).

The Ethernet payload for PPPoE is as follows:

VER TYPE CODE SESSION_ID LENGTH payload

The VER field is four bits and contains the version number of the PPPoEspecification being used. The TYPE field is four bits and is set to 0×1.The CODE field is eight bits and is defined below for the Discovery andPPP Session stages.

The SESSION_ID field is sixteen bits and its value is fixed for a givenPPP session and, in fact, defines a PPP session along with the EthernetSOURCE_ADDR and DESTINATION_ADDR. The LENGTH field is sixteen bits andindicates the length of the PPPoE payload, while not including thelength of the Ethernet or PPPoE headers.

The Discovery stage remains stateless until a PPP session isestablished. Once a PPP session is established, both the modem 104(FIG. 1) and the BRAS 112 (FIG. 1) allocate the resources for a PPPvirtual interface.

Returning to FIG. 3 once the modem 104 (FIG. 1) has been shipped to theuser and the user has connected the communication port/s 206 (FIG. 2) toa client computer 102 (FIG. 1) and connected the communications circuit204 (FIG. 2) to the DSL ready twisted pair, the modem 104 (FIG. 1) ispowered-up 302.

The HTTP (Web) stored procedures 230 and HTTP (Web) Client and Server226 using the HTTP (Web) Pages 228 then requests 304 a user identifierfrom the client computer. This user identifier is preferably the user'stelephone number. The client computer receives 306 the request anddisplays the request to the user, preferably via an Internet browser onthe client computer. The user then supplies his/her identifier, which issent 308 by the client computer to the modem, which receives 310 theidentifier and stores it in the cache 236 (FIG. 2) as a user identifier238. It should be appreciated that obtaining and storing the useridentifier may occur before (as described here), after, orsimultaneously with setting up the PPPoE session.

The modem 104 (FIG. 1) then broadcasts 312 a PPPoE Active DiscoveryInitiation (PADI) packet with the DESTINATION_ADDR set to the broadcastaddress. The CODE field is set to 0×09 and the SESSION_ID is set to0×0000. The PADI packet contains exactly one TAG of TAG_TYPEService-Name, indicating the service the modem 104 (FIG. 1) isrequesting, and any number of other TAG types. An entire PADI packet(including the PPPoE header) does not exceed 1484 octets so as to leavesufficient room for a relay agent to add a Relay-Session-Id TAG.

The BRAS 112 (FIG. 1) receives 314 the PADI and replies by transmitting316 a PPPoE Active Discovery Offer (PADO) packet. The BRAS transmits 316the PADO back to the unicast address (DESTINATION_ADDR) of the modem 104(FIG. 1) that sent the PADI. The CODE field is set to 0×07 and theSESSION_ID is set to 0×0000. The PADO packet contains one BSN-Name TAGcontaining the BSN's name, a Service-Name TAG identical to the one inthe PADI, and any number of other Service-Name TAGs indicating otherservices that the BRAS 112 (FIG. 1) offers. If the BRAS can not servethe PADI it does not respond with a PADO.

The modem 104 (FIG. 1) receives 318 the PADO and transmits 320 a PPPoEActive Discovery Request (PADR) packet to the BRAS from which itreceived the PADO. The DESTINATION_ADDR field is set to the unicastEthernet address of the BRAS 112 (FIG. 1) that sent the PADO. The CODEfield is set to 0×19 and the SESSION_ID is set to 0×0000.

The PADR packet contains exactly one TAG of TAG_TYPE Service-Name,indicating the service the modem 104 (FIG. 1) is requesting, and anynumber of other TAG types.

When the BRAS receives 322 the PADR packet it prepares 324 to begin aPPP session by generating a unique SESSION_ID for the PPPoE session. TheBRAS replies 326 to the modem 104 (FIG. 1) with a PPPoE Active DiscoverySession-confirmation (PADS) packet. The DESTINATION_ADDR field is theunicast Ethernet address of the modem 104 (FIG. 1) that sent the PADR.The CODE field is set to 0×65 and the SESSION_ID is set to the uniquevalue generated for this PPPoE session. The PADS packet contains exactlyone TAG of TAG_TYPE Service-Name, indicating the service under whichBRAS 112 (FIG. 1) has accepted the PPPoE session, and any number ofother TAG types.

If the BRAS 112 (FIG. 1) does not like the Service-Name in the PADR,then it replies with a PADS containing a TAG of TAG_TYPEService-Name-Error (and any number of other TAG types). In this case theSESSION_ID is set to 0×0000.

Once the PPPoE session stage begins, PPP data is sent as in any otherPPP encapsulation. All Ethernet packets are unicast. The ETHER_TYPEfield is set to 0×8864. The PPPoE CODE is set to 0×0000. The SESSION_IDdoes not change for that PPPoE session and is the value assigned in theDiscovery stage. The PPPoE payload contains a PPP frame. The framebegins with the PPP Protocol-ID.

A PPPoE Active Discovery Terminate (PADT) packet may be sent any timeafter a session is established to indicate that a PPPoE session has beenterminated. It may be sent by either the modem 104 (FIG. 1) or the BRAS112 (FIG. 1). The DESTINATION_ADDR field is a unicast Ethernet address,the CODE field is set to 0×a7 and the SESSION_ID is set to indicatewhich session is to be terminated. No TAGs are required.

When a PADT is received, no further PPP traffic is allowed to be sentusing that session. Even normal PPP termination packets are not sentafter sending or receiving a PADT. A PPP peer uses the PPP protocolitself to bring down a PPPoE session, but the PADT may be used when PPPcannot be used. Further details of PPPoE can be found in RFC 2516, whichis incorporated herein.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are flow charts of a method 400 for provisioning DSLservice in a PPPoE network according to an embodiment of the invention.Once a PPPoE session has been established as described in relation toFIG. 3, the modem 104 (FIG. 1) transmits multiple 402 authenticationrequests to multiple BSNs 118 (FIG. 1). The DESTINATION_ADDR of theauthentication request is set to all the domain names 232 (FIG. 2) thatthe modem was hardcoded with at the time of manufacture. As PPPoErequires a username and password, in addition to the domain name, theuser identifier 238 (FIG. 2) is used as the username, while the genericpassword 234 (FIG. 2), also hardcoded into the modem at the time ofmanufacture, is used for the password. An example of the username,password and domain name is: <Username111@BSN1.net>;<Username111@BSN2.net>; . . . ; <Username111@BSNn.net>; and Password111.

The authentication request is sent to all of the BSNs having thehardcoded domain names 232 (FIG. 2) either sequentially orsimultaneously. The BRAS 112 (FIG. 1) receives 404 the request andtransmits 406 the request to the BSNs, which receive 408, 410, and 412the request.

Each BSN then queries 414, 416, and 418 its associated authenticationserver 120 (FIG. 1) to determine whether the authentication server hasthe user identifier listed in its lookup table. If the identifiersupplied by the user is located, 422 (Yes) then that user isauthenticated and his/her corresponding configuration details, such as aglobal IP address, is transmitted 426 to the modem. In a preferredembodiment, the global IP address is a static IP address reserved forthe user. In this way, for each PPP session established, a user isalways supplied with the same static IP address. If the user'sidentifier is not located by any of the authentication servers 420 and424, no further action is taken by those BSNs.

In a preferred embodiment, if none of the BSNs respond, the modem willindicate an error, such as by lighting a red light or displaying anerror message in on a Web page to prompt the user to call his/her ISP'stechnical support.

Once the authentication is received 428 by the BRAS, it is retransmitted430 to the modem, which receives 432 the authentication details. In apreferred embodiment, the modem then transmits 434 a full configurationrequest to the OSS. This is only possible once the modem has received aglobal IP address during the authentication procedure described above.The BRAS receives 436 and retransmits 438 the request for fullconfiguration details to the OSS, which receives 444 the request forconfiguration details. The OSS obtains the full configuration detailsbased on the identifier and transmits 448 the full configuration detailsback to the IP address of the modem that made the request. The BRASreceives 450 the configuration details, which are transmitted 452 to themodem. The modem receives 454 the full configuration details andautomatically configures 456 itself using the configuration procedures220 (FIG. 2). Configuration 456 may include rebooting itself. Ifnecessary, the modem transmits 458 the configuration details to theclient computer, which receives 460 the configuration details andconfigures 462 itself accordingly.

In this way, existing PPPoE network architectures such as the AMERITECHarchitecture that require entry of a domain name in addition to ausername during the authentication phase can be provisioned withoutrequiring the user to enter domain names in addition to a singleidentifier (typically the user's telephone number). In accordance withthe present invention, a generic password 234 (FIG. 2) is hardcoded intothe modem memory 212 (FIG. 2) for the purpose of authentication.

The user does not have to be informed about the domain name to be usedand the user does not have to enter a domain name during theprovisioning process. By not requiring the user to enter a domain namein addition to the identifier, the number of customer calls fortechnical support is reduced.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are flow charts of a method 500 for provisioning DSLservice in a PPPoE network according to another embodiment of theinvention. Once a PPPoE session has been established as described inrelation to FIG. 3, the modem 104 (FIG. 1) transmits 502 anauthentication request to a single BSN 118 (1 ) (FIG. 1) only. In thisembodiment, one of the domain names 230 (FIG. 2) stored in the modem'smemory 212 (FIG. 2) is the domain name of the ISP's configuration BSN,for example “BSN 1” 118 (1). An example of such a domain name is<bsnconfig.net>. The BRAS 112 (FIG. 1) receives 504 the request andtransmits 506 the request to the configuration BSN, which receive 508the request.

The configuration BSN then queries 514 its authentication server 120 (1)(FIG. 1) to determine whether the authentication server has the useridentifier 238 (FIG. 2) listed stored in its lookup table. If theidentifier supplied by the user is located, 520 (Yes) then that user isauthenticated and his/her corresponding configuration details, such as aglobal IP address, is transmitted 526 to the modem. In this embodimentthe global IP address transmitted, is preferably a dynamic IP address,as multiple modems will be requesting authentication from the sameconfiguration BSN. The dynamic IP address is only used for first contactwith the OSS, whereafter a static IP address can be assigned to eachmodem from the OSS. In this way, for each configuration, a user isalways supplied with the same static IP address. If the user'sidentifier is not located by the authentication server 120 (1), then nofurther action is taken and the modem will indicate an error, such as bylighting a red light on the modem to prompt the user to call his/herISP's technical support.

Once the authentication is received 528 by the BRAS, it is transmitted530 to the modem. The modem receives 532 the authentication details. Ina preferred embodiment, the modem then transmits 534 a fullconfiguration request to the OSS. This is only possible once the modemhas received a global IP address during the authentication proceduredescribed above. The BRAS receives 536 and retransmits 538 the requestfor full configuration details to the OSS, which receives 544 therequest for configuration details. The OSS obtains the fullconfiguration details, including that particular user's static IPaddress/es, based on the identifier and transmits 548 the fullconfiguration details back to the IP address of the modem that made therequest. The BRAS receives 550 the configuration details, which aretransmitted 552 to the modem. The modem receives 554 the fullconfiguration details and automatically configures 556 itself using itsnew permanent static IP address. Configuration 456 may include rebootingitself. If necessary, the modem transmits 558 the configuration detailsto the client computer, which receives 560 the configuration details andconfigures 562 itself accordingly.

Therefore, each modem shipped to users provisioned through PPPoEsession-based network providers, such as AMERITECH, will have ahardcoded configuration domain name to be used for the first contact.This means that one pre-determined configuration BSN and a domain nameassociated with it will be used for resolving first contact for everyuser being supported by such a network. When the user's modem attemptsthe first contact, the network provider will route the session requeststo the pre-determined configuration BSN. The modem will communicate withthis pre-determined BSN and get a dynamic IP (temporary, valid for firstcontact only) for routing and access to the OSS to get the modem's fullconfiguration details. The configuration details include the static(permanent) IP address, the domain name of the BSN on which the user isprovisioned along with other configuration information. The static IPaddress and the domain name is used by the modem for subsequent sessionestablishment. The user only needs to enter a single identifier (phonenumber). The gateway software will append the domain name (for firstcontact of for subsequent sessions) to the identifier, e.g.,identifier@bsnconfig.net. These full configuration details will beapplied as soon as the modem reboots itself after the configurationdownload.

The domain name will be transparent to the end user (No customerintervention).

FIGS. 6A and 6B are flow charts of a method 600 for provisioning DSLservice in a PPPoE network according to yet another embodiment of theinvention. Once a PPPoE session has been established as described inrelation to FIG. 3, the modem 104 (FIG. 1) randomly chooses 601 ausername from the set usernames 240 (FIG. 2) located in the modem'smemory 212 (FIG. 2). The set usernames include a predetermined number ofusernames, say twenty five usernames, such as <username 1>; <username2>, . . . , <username 25>. The DESTINATION_ADDR of the authenticationaddress is set to the BRAS 112 (FIG. 1). Each BSN includes a list of allof the set usernames 240 (FIG. 2), so that any of the BSNs can respondto the authentication request.

The modem 104 (FIG. 1) then transmits 602 an authentication request tothe BRAS. The BRAS 112 (FIG. 1) receives 604 the request and loadbalances 604, i.e, shares out the amount of requests, all requestsreceived between the various BSNs. Once the load balancing occurs and itis determined which BSN the authentication request is to be sent to, theBRAS transmits 606 the request to the BSN, which receives 608 therequest.

The BSN then queries 616 its authentication server 120 (1) (FIG. 1) todetermine whether the authentication server has the user identifierlisted stored in its lookup table. If the identifier supplied by theuser is located, 622 (Yes) then that user is authenticated and his/hercorresponding configuration details, such as a global IP address, istransmitted 626 to the modem. In this embodiment the global IP addresstransmitted, is preferably a dynamic IP address, as multiple modems willbe requesting authentication from the same BSN. The dynamic IP addressis only used for first contact with the OSS, whereafter a static IPaddress can be assigned to each modem from the OSS. In this way, foreach configuration, a user is always supplied with the same static IPaddress. If the user's identifier is not located by the authenticationserver 120 (1), then no further action is taken and the modem willindicate an error, such as by lighting a red light on the modem toprompt the user to call his/her ISP's technical support.

Once the authentication is received 628 by the BRAS, it is transmitted630 to the modem. The modem receives 632 the authentication details. Ina preferred embodiment, the modem then transmits 634 a fullconfiguration request to the OSS. This is only possible once the modemhas received a global IP address during the authentication proceduredescribed above. The BRAS receives 636 and retransmits 638 the requestfor full configuration details to the OSS, which receives 644 therequest for configuration details. The OSS obtains the fullconfiguration details, including that particular user's static IPaddress/es, based on the identifier and transmits 648 the fullconfiguration details back to the IP address of the modem that made therequest. The BRAS receives 660 the configuration details, which aretransmitted 662 to the modem. The modem receives 664 the fullconfiguration details and automatically configures 666 itself. Ifnecessary, the modem transmits 668 the configuration details to theclient computer, which receives 660 the configuration details andconfigures 662 itself accordingly.

Therefore, a two-phase authentication process is used. A fixed number ofgeneric usernames are established for use during configuration downloadson all of the BSNs. During the first phase of authentication, one ofthese usernames 240 (FIG. 2) is randomly selected and used to assign adynamic (i.e. temporary) IP address. This is used in the second phase toconnect to the OSS which then sends the permanent (i.e. static) IPaddress and domain name to the user. The two step process isautomatically performed by the authentication procedures 222 (FIG. 2) inthe modem and is transparent to the user.

The user does not have to be informed about the domain name to be usedand the user does not have to enter a domain name during theprovisioning process.

If the authentication is not successful because to many authenticationsare occurring on a BSN because of load balancing problems, usernameconflicts, depletion of IP pool, etc., then, the modem preferably waitsa randomly chosen time between 5 to 20 seconds and retries with anotherrandomly chosen username.

In addition, for any of the methods described above in relation to FIGS.3-6, if any of the BSNs 118 fail to operate, the OSS can remotelyreconfigure other BSNs to have the domain name of the failed BSN andthereby accept incoming requests meant for the failed BSN. In a similarmanner the authentication servers 120 can also be remotely managed toadd, delete, or amend their lookup tables.

While the foregoing description and drawings represent the preferredembodiment of the present invention, it will be understood that variousadditions, modifications and substitutions may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention as definedin the accompanying claims. In particular, it will be clear to thoseskilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in otherspecific forms, structures, arrangements, proportions, and with otherelements, materials, and components, without departing from the spiritor essential characteristics thereof. The presently disclosedembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims, and not limited to the foregoingdescription. Furthermore, it should be noted that the order in which theprocess is performed may vary without substantially altering the outcomeof the process.

1. A computer implemented method for provisioning broadband service in aPoint-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) network, comprising:transmitting an authentication request from a modem to a singleconfiguration domain name over a PPPoE network; and receivingauthorization from said configuration domain name, comprising acquiringat least one temporary dynamic Internet Protocol (IP) address;transmitting a configuration request to an Internet Service Provider(ISP), where said configuration request is addressed from said temporarydynamic IP address; receiving configuration information from said ISP,where the configuration information includes a static IP address, andwhere said configuration information is addressed to said temporarydynamic IP address; and automatically configuring said modem based onsaid configuration information.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising, prior to said transmitting step, the step of providing amodem that includes a configuration domain name associated with aconfiguration Broadband Service Node (BSN).
 3. The method of claim 1,further comprising, prior to said transmitting step, the step ofestablishing a PPPoE session.
 4. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising, prior to said transmitting step, the steps of: requestingonly a single identifier from a user of a client computer; receivingsaid identifier; and storing said identifier.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein said transmitting step comprises transmitting an authorizationrequest containing said identifier and a generic password to said singleconfiguration domain name.
 6. An apparatus for provisioning broadbandservice in a Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) network,comprising: means for transmitting an authentication request from amodem to a single configuration domain name over a PPPoE network; andmeans for receiving authorization from said configuration domain name,comprising acquiring at least one temporary dynamic Internet Protocol(IP) address, comprising; means for transmitting a configuration requestto an Internet Service Provider (ISP), where said configuration requestis addressed from said temporary dynamic IP address; means for receivingconfiguration information from said ISP, where the configurationinformation includes a static IP address, and where said configurationinformation is addressed to said temporary dynamic IP address; and meansfor automatically configuring said modem based on said configurationinformation.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein a modem that includesa configuration name associated with a configuration Broadband ServiceNode (BSN) is provided prior to transmitting the authentication request.8. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising means for establishing aPPPoE session prior to transmitting the authentication request.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 6, further comprising: means for requesting only asingle identifier from a user of a client computer, receiving saididentifier, and storing said identifier prior transmitting theauthentication request.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said meansfor transmitting comprises means for transmitting an authorizationrequest containing said identifier and a generic password to said singleconfiguration domain name.
 11. An apparatus for provisioning broadbandservice in a Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) network,comprising: a transmitter configured to transmit an authenticationrequest to a single configuration domain name over a PPPoE network; anda receiver, configured to receive authorization from said configurationdomain name, comprising acquiring at least one temporary dynamicInternet Protocol (IP) address; wherein the transmitter is furtherconfigured to transmit a configuration request to an Internet ServiceProvider (ISP), where said configuration request is addressed from saidtemporary dynamic IP address; wherein the receiver is further configuredto receive configuration information from said ISP, where theconfiguration information includes a static IP address, and where saidconfiguration information is addressed to said temporary dynamic IPaddress; and wherein the modem is automatically configured based on saidconfiguration information.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein theapparatus comprises a modem including a configuration name associatedwith a configuration Broadband Service Node (BSN) and wherein the modemis provided prior to transmitting the authentication request.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 11, further comprising means for establishing a PPPoEsession prior to transmitting the authentication request.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 11, further comprising: means for requesting only asingle identifier from a user of a client computer, receiving saididentifier, and storing said identifier prior transmitting theauthentication request.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein thetransmitter comprises means for transmitting an authorization requestcontaining said identifier and a generic password to said singleconfiguration domain name.
 16. A computer program product for use inconjunction with a computer system for provisioning broadband service ina Point-to-Point Protocol Over Ethernet (PPPoE) network, the computerprogram product comprising a computer readable storage and a computerprogram stored therein, the computer program comprising: instructionsfor transmitting an authentication request from a modem to a singleconfiguration domain name over a PPPoE network; and instructions forreceiving authorization from said configuration domain name comprisinginstructions for acquiring at least one temporary dynamic InternetProtocol (IP) address; transmitting a configuration request to anInternet Service Provider (ISP), where said configuration request isaddressed from said temporary dynamic IP address; receivingconfiguration information from said ISP, where said configurationinformation includes a static IP address, and where said configurationinformation is addressed to said temporary dynamic IP address; andautomatically configuring said modem based on said configurationinformation.
 17. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein thecomputer program further comprises instructions for establishing a PPPoEsession prior to said transmitting the authentication request.
 18. Thecomputer program product of claim 16, wherein the computer programfurther comprises instructions for requesting only a single identifierfrom a user of a client computer, for receiving said identifier, and forstoring said identifier prior to transmitting the authenticationrequest.
 19. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein saidinstructions for transmitting the authentication request comprisestransmitting an authorization request containing said identifier and ageneric password to said single configuration domain name.